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CONSIDERATION OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 FROM AAA INSURANCE OF OKLAHOMA TO BE USED BY THE NORMAN POLICE DEPARTMENT TO COORDINATE A STATEWIDE DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT (DRE) IN-SERVICE CLASS AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION.
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BACKGROUND: The City Code, Section 8-111, requires that the City Council accept any donations with a value greater than $250. AAA Insurance is a strong supporter of the prevention of impaired driving on the roadways across the State of Oklahoma. AAA Insurance is making a donation for the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program in Oklahoma to conduct an in-service/conference for DRE-trained officers.
DISCUSSION: Deputy Chief Jim Maisano serves as the State Coordinator for the DRE program in Oklahoma. For over fifteen years the Norman Police Department has annually received a grant from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office for the police department to host a DRE training class for officers from across the state.
AAA Insurance of Oklahoma contacted Deputy Chief Maisano indicating their desire to donate funds to cover the costs of an in-service/conference to provide updated training for DRE officers within the state. AAA stated they would be willing to donate $15,000 to cover the costs associated for the training to be conducted. The training will provide the DRE officers with updated information on current trends and efforts related to the detection and prevention of impaired driving offenses. Currently there are fifty-four (54) departments which have at least one DRE trained officer that could receive a benefit from the proposed training. This would include up to twelve (12) employees within the Norman Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the $15,000 donation from AAA Insurance of Oklahoma be accepted and deposited into Donation/Organization revenue account (010-0000-365.13-73) and be appropriated into the Police Administration account Workshops & Seminars (010-6010-421.46-04).